Treatment of chronic urticaria with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy: a randomized controlled trial
ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA, vol.88, no.3, pp.247-251, 2008 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 88 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2008
- Doi Number: 10.2340/00015555-0434
- Journal Name: ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.247-251
- Istanbul University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Data regarding narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy in patients with chronic urticaria is limited. The aim of this open, controlled study was to determine whether NB-UVB is effective in treating urticaria in combination with antihistamin. A total of 81 patients with chronic urticaria were recruited, 48 of whom were randomized into the NB-UVB plus antihistamine group. The control group (n = 33) received only antihistamine. Patients were assessed using the urticaria activity score and a visual analogue score (VAS). The 2 groups were evaluated at the same time-points: at treatment sessions 10 and 20 and at follow-up 3 months post-treatment. The reduction in urticaria activity score and VAS was statistically significant (p<0.05 for both groups). When comparing the groups, the mean urticaria activity score was significantly lower in the NB-UVB group at session 10 (22.6 vs. 27.3) and session 20 (17.4 vs. 20.7). Statistically significant differences were also noted in VAS between the 2 groups (p<0.01) at 3 months post-treatment. We conclude that NB-UVB may be an effective complementary treatment for patients with chronic urticaria.